Shelby County Death Index

Shelby County death records come from the health department in Pelham. This fast-growing county has over 231,000 people. It ranks fourth in Alabama by population. The state ViSION system lets staff pull up death records for anywhere in Alabama.

Shelby County Health Department

The Shelby County Health Department handles death certificate requests. The main office is on County Services Drive in Pelham. Staff can search the state database and print copies fast. Most requests take 15 to 30 minutes in Shelby County.

The county seat is Columbiana. However, the health department is in Pelham for better access to the larger population centers. You can get Shelby County death records here. You can also request records from other Alabama counties at this same office.

Shelby County Coroner

The Shelby County Coroner looks into certain deaths. Deaths from violence, accidents, suicide, and sudden causes go to the coroner. The coroner finds the cause and manner of death in Shelby County.

You can find more info at shelbyal.com/219/Coroners-Office. The coroner works with law enforcement on deaths that may involve crimes. Autopsies can be requested from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences when needed in Alabama.

How to Get a Death Certificate

There are three ways to get Shelby County death records. Pick what works for your needs.

In Person Request

Walking in is fastest. Bring a photo ID. Give the clerk the name of the person who died. Add the death date and place if you know them. Staff will search and print your copy on the spot in Shelby County.

Cash, check, and money order work. Some offices take debit cards too. Call ahead to check. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You leave with your Shelby County death certificate the same day.

Mail Request

Send a letter to the Center for Health Statistics. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include the full name of the deceased. Add the death date and place. State your tie to them. Send a copy of your ID and a check made to Center for Health Statistics in Alabama.

Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they get your letter.

Online Order

VitalChek handles online orders for Alabama. Go to vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Pay by credit or debit card. Pick your shipping speed. VitalChek adds fees on top of state prices. Standard takes about one week for Shelby County death records.

Who Can Request Death Records

Access depends on how old the record is. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death records are private for 25 years. After that, anyone can get a copy in Shelby County. No reason is needed.

During the 25-year restricted period, only some people can get certified copies in Alabama:

• Spouse of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased
• Adult children of the deceased
• Brothers and sisters of the deceased
• Grandchildren of the deceased
• Legal reps for the estate
• The informant on the certificate
• Government agencies with official need

Others with a personal or property interest may qualify. Bring your documents. Commercial firms cannot get bulk Shelby County death records or use them for mailing lists in Alabama.

Fees for Death Certificates

Death certificate fees are the same across all 67 counties in Alabama. Shelby County charges the standard rates. The State Board of Health sets these fees under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-23.

Fees are nonrefundable. If no record is found, you still pay. You get a Certificate of Failure to Find instead. VitalChek adds service fees beyond state rates in Alabama.

Historical Death Records

Statewide death registration started January 1, 1908 in Alabama. Full compliance took time. By 1925, about 90 percent of deaths were filed. All records from 1908 on are in the state system. Records over 25 years old are public in Shelby County.

Finding death records before 1908 takes more work. Some county health officers kept local registers as early as 1881 in Alabama. Coverage varied. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm of early registers that exist.

For pre-1908 Shelby County death info, try these sources:

• Probate court records with wills and estate files
• Church burial records from Columbiana and nearby towns
• Cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions
• Old newspaper obituaries from Shelby County papers
• Federal mortality schedules from 1850 through 1880

FamilySearch has a free collection called Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974. It has over 1.8 million names with images of original Shelby County death certificates.

Alabama Death Record Law

Death records in Alabama fall under the Alabama Vital Statistics Act. You find it in Title 22, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code. Key sections include:

• Section 22-9A-14: Deaths must be filed within five days
• Section 22-9A-21: Sets 25-year privacy period and lists who can access records
• Section 22-9A-22: Lets county offices issue certified copies
• Section 22-9A-23: Sets the fee schedule

These rules apply statewide in Alabama. The full text is on the Alabama Legislature website.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County includes part of Hoover. Hoover is the only city here above 50,000 people. Alabaster, Helena, Pelham, Chelsea, Montevallo, and Columbiana are other major towns in Shelby County. The health department in Pelham handles all Shelby County death records.

Hoover has about 93,000 people. Most of the city is in Jefferson County. Part extends into Shelby County. Hoover residents can use either county health department to request death certificates in Alabama.

Nearby Counties

Shelby County is just south of Birmingham in central Alabama. Nearby counties may have records for family who lived in this region.

Start Your Search

Use the search tool below to find death records in Shelby County or other parts of Alabama.